LOUISVILLE, KY -- (February 15, 2013) ---

Louisville-based Long John Silver’s (LJS) seafood restaurants jump started the renewal of its charitable partnership with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® (CMN Hospitals) today as LJS CEO Mike Kern presented a $ 321,947 check to Jeff Bronkowski of CMN Hospitals. The sizeable donation represents monies contributed by LJS employees, franchisees and customers through instore promotions and activities, including the launch of LJS’s Hand Battered and Hand Cut Onion Rings last fall. The new onion rings were offered free to customers making a $1.00 donation to CMN Hospitals.

An ownership change interrupted the relationship several years ago, but according to Kern, “After LJS Partners took over ownership early last year, one of the first decisions we made was to reestablish our work with CMN Hospitals so that we could generate funds for local hospitals and create powerful and positive opportunities for our employees, our franchisees and our brand.”

In addition to FREE Onion Rings Day, Long John Silver’s has supported Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals with promotions that include the purchase of Miracle Balloon icons at the register for specific periods of time. Customers contributing to CMN Hospitals receive personalized in-store recognition and a valuable product coupon for each $1 donation.

“We are so appreciative of Long John Silver’s continuing partnership with our organization,” said John Lauck, president and CEO of CMN Hospitals. “Their nationwide support and customers’ generosity will make a tremendous difference, allowing our hospitals to fund life-saving treatments, medical equipment and charitable care for millions of kids.”

To show support for the local CMN Hospital in Louisville where LJS is headquartered, LJS employees hosted a special “First Friday of Lent Fish Fry” on the premises of Kosair Children’s Hospital. LJS employees set up an on-site kitchen and prepared the chain’s signature fish and a selection sides and served lunch to patients as well as to their families and other visitors.

“The Long John Silver’s “Fish Fry” is a welcome way to give our patients and their families a much needed break in their day and a fun way to bring our staff, our patients and our friends here in the community together,” said Lynnie Meyer, Eecutive Director of Children’s Hospital Foundation benefitting Kosair Children’s Hospital. “We try to celebrate life everyday and we welcome new and positive opportunities to do just that.”

About Long John Silver’s Long John Silver’s was founded in Lexington, KY in 1969 and moved its international headquarters to Louisville in 2003. Long John Silver’s provides franchise services, food innovation and marketing support to more than 1,300 Long John Silver’s restaurants located throughout the United States and in Asia. With more than 8,400 employees worldwide, Long John Silver’s is America’s largest quick serve seafood chain.